Life Expectancy

FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT LIFE EXPECTANCY - PAGE 3

A chance to clean up Congress To the editor: This is an open letter to the Democratic Party hierarchy. You now have the unique opportunity to restore to the Congress a level of integrity, honor and respect, so that the majority of the people and the world will once again like and respect our Congress. All you have to do is represent a majority of the American people. When I say the "the American people," I don't mean the millions of illegal aliens, nor the special interest groups and the congressmen and lobbyists who represent them.

"I'd like to know who is responsible for the condition of Scenic View Court in Boonsboro. Is the town of Boonsboro, or Washington County? Whoever it is, they need to come out here and talk to the neighbors and tell them why they destroyed our street. " - Boonsboro "SSI is not welfare. It is Social Security that is paid to the minor, that the parent has died and has worked and paid in to the system. It is not welfare. It's to try and help keep the child alive, survive, with no income from the parent.

CHARLES TOWN, W.VA. -- Mark Johnston was battling a brain tumor, but he also was living his life, right to the end. The former Jefferson County police officer had been filling out necessary documents for family affairs, and he remained as active as he could despite his medical prognosis. And as always, his humor still was there, his friends in the law enforcement community said. Friends on Wednesday remembered Johnston. Jefferson County Sheriff Robert E. "Bobby" Shirley said Johnston recently showed him a picture of his tumor.

Posters displaying images of aborted fetuses will line the streets at the intersection of Walnut and West Washington streets from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today, when the anti-abortion group Defend Life stops in Hagerstown on its fifth annual Face the Truth Tour, the group's director said Friday. The Baltimore-based group expects about 30 anti-abortion advocates to turn out, but has a total of 110 signs and invites local residents to join the protest, director Missy Smith said. The posters will be displayed every 10 feet and progress from an image of a healthy baby to fetuses in utero to - after a warning sign - graphic photos of aborted fetuses, including one with its head removed.

SHARPSBURG - While routine maintenance is being performed on the town's 200,000-gallon water storage tank, the Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Co. is working closely with other companies to ensure that tankers will be available if necessary. The work began in late August and is expected to be completed by mid-November, according to Julie Pippel, director of the Washington County Department of Environmental Management. Pippel said town residents and businesses are getting their water from a 100,000-gallon storage tank at the water treatment plant in Sharpsburg.

WASHINGTON COUNTY ? Washington County Public Schools officials say they could eliminate a $50 million backlog of maintenance projects in five years if they had an additional $13.6 million each year. Michael Peplinski, director of school maintenance and operations, said the Washington County Commissioners have given the school system an additional $2 million to $3 million each of the past two years for deferred maintenance projects. "They have recognized that we have had a problem, and they've been trying to help us out, more than the state," he said.

Hospice needs clergy members MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Hospice of the Panhandle needs volunteer clergy to provide spiritual support to people who are living with a limited life expectancy, yet who still want to live life to its fullest. These people come from various spiritual backgrounds and belief systems, so pastors from different denominations are needed. Help is needed in Berkeley, Hampshire, Jefferson and Morgan counties. The time commitment is nominal, especially if many pastors apply.

Council OKs $28,030 in maintenance for water treatment CLEAR SPRING - The Clear Spring Town Council Monday night approved $28,030 in maintenance procedures for the town's water treatment plant. Clear Spring Mayor Paul D. Hose Jr. said it is routine maintenance for the facility, including the replacement of filters and seals in the town's 24 individual treatment units. The life expectancy of the parts being replaced is about seven to 10 years, he said. Officials from Siemens Industry Inc., will perform the work, Hose said.